Key Takeaways 

• National Grandparents Day happens every first Sunday after Labor Day, falling on Sept. 13th in 2026. 
• Video calling apps like FaceTime and Zoom let you see your grandchildren’s faces during every call. 
• Smart photo frames, such as Frameo, let family members send new photos straight to your frame from anywhere. 
• Captioned telephones display each word a caller says on screen, helping people with hearing loss follow phone calls with ease, at no cost to qualified individuals. 
• Handwritten letters, care packages, and printed photos remain some of the most meaningful ways for grandparents and grandkids to stay in touch. 

National Grandparents Day officially started in 1978, thanks to Marian McQuade, a West Virginia mother who spent years writing to governors and senators asking for a dedicated day to honor grandparents. Her persistence paid off. President Jimmy Carter signed the holiday into law, setting it on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year. 

While the tradition hasn’t changed, how we stay in touch certainly has. Do you remember when living a state away meant waiting weeks between visits or relying on brief long-distance calls? Today, distance doesn’t have to put your relationship on hold. 

Grandparents now have plenty of ways to see their grandkids’ faces, hear their voices, and stay part of their lives, even when they live far apart. 

Technology for Staying Connected with Family 

Modern tech tools bridge the physical distance between you and your family with just a few taps. 

Video calling for seniors 

Video calls let you see your grandchild’s face while you talk. If you have an iPhone® or iPad®, FaceTime is what allows you to video call, and it’s already set up on your device. Just open the app, tap your grandchild’s contact name, and tap the video icon to start a call. Zoom is another great option, especially if your family relies on a mix of Apple and Android phones. Your grandchild can text or email you a quick link, and you simply tap it to join. Don’t hesitate to ask your loved ones for guidance if you ever need help. 

Beyond catching up on the week, video calls are great for sharing everyday moments. You can give them a live tour of your garden, bake a favorite family recipe together step by step, or let them show off their latest art project right in front of the camera. 

Smart photo frames 

Smart photo frames bring your family’s newest memories right into your living room without the hassle of memory cards, social media feeds, or complicated setups. Devices like Frameo plug into your wall outlet and connect to your home internet. 

Once the frame is plugged in, you give your family members a simple access code. Using an app on their smartphones, your adult children and grandkids can send photos straight to your frame from anywhere in the world. A photo taken at a weekend soccer game or school play can pop up on your side table just moments later. 

Texting and messaging apps 

Texting offers a quick, low-pressure way to stay part of your grandchild’s week without having to coordinate a full phone call. A simple text like “Good luck on your math test today!” lets them know you are thinking of them, and they can text back whenever school or practice wraps up. 

If your older grandkids use Facebook Messenger or Instagram, those apps work similarly. You can trade short notes, send quick life updates, or pass along funny family photos throughout the day. 

Captioned telephones 

Sometimes the best conversations still happen over the phone. If hearing loss makes it hard to catch every word your grandchild says, a captioned telephone can bring that ease back. As your grandchild talks, their words appear on a large screen attached to your phone, so you can read along while you listen. A quick call to hear about a school project or catch up on the week starts to feel simple again. 

Qualified individuals with hearing loss can receive a captioned phone at no cost thanks to a federal program, complete with delivery, setup, and ongoing support. If you are ready to make every conversation clear and effortless, you can learn how to get started with ClearCaptions or give us a call at 866-996-1498. 

Online games 

Online games give you a fun, interactive way to hang out with your grandchildren across the miles. Turn-based word games like Words with Friends and Wordle let you make a move whenever you have a free minute, keeping a lighthearted match going for days. Digital Mahjong apps offer a familiar alternative if you love traditional tile games. 

If you want something casual to play with younger kids or teens, apps like Uno, Chess.com, or Draw Something (a digital version of Pictionary) are huge hits among grandparents and their grandkids. They give you a low-pressure way to have fun, trade turns, and stay connected without needing any fast-paced video game skills. 

Simple Ways to Stay Close Without a Screen 

While screens make instant connection effortless, traditional gestures carry a warmth that technology can’t quite capture. Combining simple digital tools with meaningful physical surprises keeps your relationship rich and balanced. 

• Handwritten notes and postcards: A handwritten letter tucked in the mail gives your grandchild something physical to open, read, and save in a keepsake box for years to come. 
• Surprise care packages: Putting together a small package with their favorite homemade treats, a good book, or a fun little trinket gives them an exciting moment to look forward to when the mail arrives. 
• Printed photos for the fridge: Sending printed snapshots for your grandkids to tape on their bedroom mirror or hang on the refrigerator keeps your face close and familiar every single day. 

Mixing accessible technology with personal offline touches ensures you stay an active, loving presence in your grandchildren’s lives, no matter the distance. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

When is Grandparents Day 2026? 

National Grandparents Day falls on September 13, 2026. The holiday always lands on the first Sunday after Labor Day, so the date changes slightly from year to year. 

What’s the easiest way for seniors to video call their grandchildren? 

FaceTime is one of the simplest options for anyone with an iPhone or iPad, since the app comes preinstalled and only takes a few taps to start a call. Zoom is another good choice if your family uses a mix of devices, since it works on phones, tablets, and computers alike. 

How do smart photo frames work? 

A smart photo frame connects to your home internet. Family members download an app, like Frameo, and send photos directly to your frame from their own phones. New pictures typically appear on the frame within minutes, with no computer or memory card needed. 

Can a captioned telephone help me stay in touch with family if I have hearing loss? 

Yes. A captioned telephone displays the words your caller says on a screen attached to the phone, so you can read along as you listen. This makes it easier to follow conversations with grandchildren, especially if hearing loss makes phone calls tiring or hard to follow. The ClearCaptions Phone comes at no cost to qualified individuals, thanks to a federally managed program. 

Do I need to buy new technology to stay connected with my grandchildren? 

No. Handwritten letters, care packages, and printed photos are still meaningful ways to stay close to grandchildren. Technology can make staying in touch easier, but it isn’t the only option.